This institution is not, and has never been, associated with or related in any way to California Coast University of Santa Ana, California, which had called itself "California Western University" from 1973 - 1981.

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History

California Western was originally chartered in 1924 by Leland Ghent Stanford as a private graduate institution called Balboa Law College, the first law school in San Diego. His brother, Dwight Stanford, served as one of the first deans. Leland Ghent Stanford is not related to the founder of Stanford University, Leland Stanford, though he did earn both his undergraduate and law degrees at Stanford. He also received a M.A. and Ph.D in Government Administration there. Balboa Law College expanded to include undergraduate and other graduate studies and changed its name to Balboa University. The law school was closed in 1946.

In 1952 Balboa University became affiliated with the Southern California Methodist Conference, changed its name to California Western University and relocated to Point Loma. The law school was reopened in downtown. In 1960, the law school had 6 full-time faculty and 23 students. In that year, it re-located to Rohr Hall at Point Loma. It received accreditation from the American Bar Association in 1962.

In 1973, the law school relocated from its Point Loma location to the current downtown campus at 350 Cedar Street. In 1975, California Western ended its affiliation with USIU and became an independent secular law school. In 1980, the new trimester system was announced, allowing two entering classes in one academic year, reducing individual class size and allowing students to graduate in two years rather than the standard three.

In 1993, the law school opened a new administrative and campus center at 225 Cedar Street, housing faculty and administration offices, including student affairs and financial aid.